Surah Al-Baqarah

البقرة

Surah 2 · Madani · 286 ayahs · Juz 1–3 · pages 2–49 · 40 rukus

Revealed: Madani
Ayahs: 286
Juz: 1–3
Mushaf pages: 2–49
Words: 6,116
Order revealed: 87th (according to Ibn Abbas)
Year: 14th year of Prophethood (1st Year Hijri)
Prophets named: Adam, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, Musa, Harun

About Surah Al-Baqarah (002)

Surah al-Baqarah is the longest Surah of the Qur’an with 286 Ayat, has the longest Ayat of the Qur’an (2:282), the greatest Ayat of the Qur’an…

Surah al-Baqarah is the longest Surah of the Qur’an with 286 Ayat, has the longest Ayat of the Qur’an (2:282), the greatest Ayat of the Qur’an (2:255), and reportedly the last Ayat of the Qur’an revealed (2:281). The Surah, revealed in Madinah, deals with a number of issues related to guidance, Allah’s Governance on earth, history of previous Muslim Ummah and instructions for the new Muslim Ummah.

The Surah begins with the statement that it is Allah who revealed this Book for the guidance of those who are conscious of Him. Only those who seek guidance can benefit from the guidance of this Book. There are three types of human beings; those who believe in the unseen realities, perform prayers, give part of their wealth in charity, believe in what is revealed in this scripture and what was revealed before to other prophets and messengers of Allah. These are the true believers. They shall benefit from this Book and they shall be eternally successful.

The second group consists of those who have decided to reject Allah’s message. They are the disbelievers. Since they have made up their minds to reject Islam, no preaching will help them. Allah will punish them on the Day of Judgement because of their rejection. The third is the group of people who say that they have believed, but actually they have not believed. They try to be on both sides: sometimes at the side of faith and sometimes at the side of disbelief. They are the hypocrites. They may think that in this way they will gain both sides, but in reality, they are also the losers.

This surah is published a ruku at a time — the Quran's own reading portion — so each page stays short enough to study properly. Pick where you want to begin.

The 40 rukus of Surah Al-Baqarah

Each ruku is a reading portion. This is what each one covers — click any line to open it.

Ruku	What it covers	Ayahs
1	Claim of the Qur'an that it contains no doubtful statement The Qur'an is a guide for those who are God-conscious Warning is of no use for those who reject faith	1–7
2	Hypocrites and the consequences of hypocrisy Examples of hypocrite's deeds	8–20
3	Allah's demand to worship Him Claim of the Qur'an to be the Book of Allah Reward for the believers Parable of gnat may confound many and enlighten many How can you deny Allah?	21–29
4	The STORY of Adam's creation: Victory of knowledge Angels show respect to Adam Shaitân caused Adam to lose paradise Adam's repentance and his forgiveness Need of Allah's revelations for guidance Allah's covenants with the Children of Israel Do you advise others and forget yourselves? Allah's help comes with patience and Salah (Prayers)	30–39
5	Address to Bani Israel (Children of Israel) to accept this message. Allah’s covenant must be fulfilled.	40–46
6	Criminals will find no way out on the Day of Judgment Israelites' deliverance from Pharaoh's persecution: Their sin of worshipping the Calf Their repentance through slaying the culprits Those who wanted to see Allah face to face were put to death, then Allah gave them life again and provided them with heavenly food Their discontent and disbelief	47–59
7	Miracle of providing water in the desert from a rock Israelites rejected the heavenly food and Their disobedience and transgression Real believers have nothing to fear or to regret Israelites covenant with Allah: Punishment for the violation of Sabbath Their attitude in sacrificing a cow on Allah's command	60–61
8	The real recipients of Divine salvation. The hesitation of Bani Israel in sacrificing the cow.	62–71
9	Miracle of bringing the dead body back to life and their reaction to the miracle Jews are hopeless victims of hypocrisy Some of them attributed their own writings to Allah Their false claim and its punishment	72–82
10	Israelites made a covenant with Allah and broke it Their behavior with their own people Their punishment for breaking the covenant Advent of the Prophet Isa (Jesus) Jews rejected the truth knowingly Nature of the Jews' belief Israelites love for the calf was more than their love for Allah Jews' claim of exclusive right to inherit paradise is put to test	83–86
11	Some of them were arrogant to follow the teachings of their prophets, some rejected the prophets or tried to kill them, some worshipped the calf, disobeyed Allah’s commands and became too greedy for the life of this world.	87–96
12	Their animosity for Gabriel and other angels Their faithlessness Their accusation against the Prophet Solomon (Sulaimân) and Their learning of witchcraft	97–103
13	Etiquette in addressing the Prophet of Allah Abrogation and / or substitution of the verses of the Qur'an Questioning the Prophet Envy of Jews and Christians Open-end credit account for the Hereafter Jews' and Christians' false claim to inherit paradise Religious prejudice of the Jews and the Christians Order not to prevent people from coming to the Masâjid All directions belong to Allah The accusation against Allah of having a son The Qur'an is the knowledge of truth Jews and Christians will never be pleased with you (Muslims)	104–112
14	The true guidance of Allah is here. Read the Book of Allah and follow it.	113–121
15	Accountability on the Day of Judgment Ibrâheem was made the Leader of mankind by Allah Importance of the Ka'bah Prayer of Ibrâheem for the city of Ibrâheem and Isma`il pray for the appointment of a Prophet from the City of	122–129
16	Islam: the religion of Ibrâheem Ibrâheem's advice to his sons Ya'qoob's advice to his sons Jews and Christians vs. Faith of Ibrâheem Order of Allah to believe in all Prophets without discrimination Baptism is from Allah Ibrâheem and his sons were neither Jews nor Christians but were Muslims	130–141
17	Qiblah (direction in prayers): The order of Allah to change Qiblah The Ka'bah in Makkah was made the new Qiblah	142–147
18	The order to face towards Ka'bah as Qiblah during Salah (prayers)	148–152
19	Prescription to seek Allah's help Martyrs are not dead Allah will test the Believer's belief Safa and Marwah are the symbols of Allah The curse of Allah, the angels and all mankind is on those who conceal the truth	153–163
20	Signs from nature to recognize Allah The mushrikeen will have severe punishment and The followers of misguided leaders will regret on the Day of Judgment	164–167
21	Do not follow the footsteps of Shaitân Do not profess the faith blindly Prohibited (Harâm) food Those who hide the truth for worldly gain swallow nothing but fire	168–176
22	Definition of righteousness? The Islamic laws of retribution The commandment of Allah to make a 'Will.' The obligation of fasting The revelation of the Qur'an in the month of Ramadhân Allah is very close to His devotees Nights of the Fasting month Timings of fasting Bribe is a sin	177–182
23	Fasting and Ramadan: the objective of fasting and some rules.	183–188
24	The moon is to determine Time periods Order to fight for a just cause Retaliation in the sacred months Order to give charity Hajj and Umrah (pilgrimage to Makkah)	189–196
25	Restrictions during Hajj and Performance of Hajj (pilgrimage) Remembrance of Allah and the stay in Mina 2:[ 203] Hypocrisy vs. True belief O believers enter into Islam completely	197–210
26	The believers will rank over the unbelievers Mankind was one nation having one religion The way to passes through trials Charity and Fighting (for just cause) is made obligatory	211–216
27	Fighting in the Sacred Month Punishment for "murtad"- who turn back from Islam Drinking and gambling are sinful Dealings with orphans It is unlawful to marry a mushrik	217–221
28	Question about menstruation Do not misuse oaths taken in the name of Allah Limitation for renouncing conjugal rights Waiting period after divorce	222–228
29	Laws relating to divorce Treatment to the divorced women	229–231
30	There is no restriction on divorcees to remarry Requirement of breast feeding babies Waiting period for widows There is no restriction on remarriage of widows	232–235
31	Dowry and divorce Guarding the Salah (Prayers) Obligation of executing the "Last Will and Testament."	236–242
32	There is no escape from death Spending in the Way of Allah Israelites demand for a king Allah appointed Talût to be their king	243–248
33	Test of Israelites' belief and obedience Victory is not by numbers Prayer of the believers for victory Reaffirming the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh) Ranks of Rasools	249–253
34	Spending in charity Allah's attributes and "Ayat-al-Kursi." There is no compulsion in religion Wali (friends) of Allah vs. Wali (friends) of Shaitân	254–257
35	Confrontation of Ibrâheem and the King (Namrûd) Example of bringing dead to life Ibrâheem's question of life after death	258–260
36	The parable of spending in Charity What makes charity worthless Charity vs. Showing off	261–266
37	Spend the best portion of your wealth Allah's promise vs. Shaitân's promise Giving charity in public and private Who is eligible for charity?	267–273
38	Reward for charity Prohibition of usury Taking usury is like declaring war against Allah and His Rasool	274–281
39	All business dealings must be reduced to writing - loans, debts and buying on credit Witnesses are required in all transactions If writing is not possible, take a security deposit - pledge/mortgage	282–283
40	Allah will call to account True belief of Prophets and Muslims Believer's supplication	284–286

Themes of Surah Al-Baqarah (002)

This Surah is an invitation to the Divine guidance and all the lessons, stories, incidents revolve around this central theme. A part of this Surah…

This Surah is an invitation to the Divine guidance and all the lessons, stories, incidents revolve around this central theme. A part of this Surah has particularly been addressed to the Jews, many historical events have been cited from their own traditions to admonish and advise them that their own good lies in accepting the guidance revealed to the Prophet ﷺ. They should, therefore, be the first to accept it because it was essentially the same that was revealed to Prophet Musa.

Guidance. The Surah makes it clear what the straight path is – who are upon it, who are not and what their attributes are.
Allah’s governance on Earth. The Surah was aptly revealed shortly after the establishment of the Islamic state in Madinah. The first story of this Surah is about Adam, the very first Caliph of Allah on Earth. Various facets of the Shariah are explained and expounded for the newly established state. Hence, we find rulings and regulations on divorce, Hajj, Zakat, Ramadhan, Jihad and financial transactions.
The Surah revolves around the theme of the methodology in application of the Khilafah of Allah on Earth.
Surah al-Baqarah is about the building of a society. The Makki Ayat are primary focused on the individual whereas the Madani Ayat address the Muslims as a community. The emergence of the new Muslim Ummah is illustrated by the changing of the Qiblah from praying towards Jerusalem to praying towards Makkah. A transferring from the previous Muslim Ummah, the Children of Israel, to the final Muslim Ummah, now in Madinah.
As a lesson to the new Muslim Ummah, Surah al-Baqarah deals with the previous Muslim Ummah, the Children of Israel and their remnants in Madinah; the promise of Allah to them, their traits, how they dealt with the Laws of Allah, and how they were punished. This served as a warning to the new Muslim Ummah warning them not to repeat the same mistake and failure to do so would result in similar punishments.
The significance of Ayat 2:143 as the Muslims being the middle nation.
In essence, the themes of the whole Qur’an can be linked back to Surah alBaqarah.

Key words of Surah Al-Baqarah

Arabic builds its words from a three-letter root; change the pattern around the root and the meaning changes with it. These are the roots this surah keeps returning to, and the words built on each — every word links to the ayah it sits in. More in the Grammar Guide.

Root	Times	Words in this surah
اله	289	اللَّهُAllah بِاللَّهِIn Allah وَاللَّهُAnd Allah
قول	139	يَقُولُSay قِيلَIt is said قَالُواThey say
علم	102	يَعْلَمُونَThey know تَعْلَمُونَ[you] know فَيَعْلَمُونَ[thus] they will know
امن	84	يُؤْمِنُونَBelieve آمَنَّاWe believed بِمُؤْمِنِينَAre believers at all
كون	78	كَانُواThey used to كُنْتُمْYou are وَكُنْتُمْWhile you were
اتي	54	فَأْتُواThen produce وَأُتُواAnd they will be given يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْComes to you
ربب	49	رَبِّهِمْTheir Lord رَبَّكُمُYour Lord رَبِّهِHis Lord
كتب	48	الْكِتَابُIs the Book يَكْتُبُونَWrite كَتَبَتْHave written
كفر	47	كَفَرُواDisbelieve[d]بِالْكَافِرِينَThe disbelievers لِلْكَافِرِينَFor the disbelievers
شطر	5	شَطْرَTowards the direction شَطْرَهُIn its direction
سفك	2	وَيَسْفِكُAnd will shed تَسْفِكُونَWill you shed
رفث	2	الرَّفَثُIs the approach رَفَثَSexual relations

Introduction and themes from The Qur’an Companion (Qur’an Wiki), Institute of Qur’anic Studies, reproduced unchanged. Key roots are their selection; every word, meaning and count shown here is from ILMHUB’s own Quran database.

Published 21 August 2026